The EXO from Taipan is the first commercially offered DJI Osmo Pocket cage. Its aluminium design offers multiple threaded holes, arca-swiss plate and ARRI 2-pin mount while sustaining the full connectivity of the Osmo Pocket. There will be more accessories for the cage available in the future.
Taipan cinema tools is a relatively new camera accessories manufacturer based in Italy. They are offering mostly cages for Z Cam cameras and rigs for VR 360 multi camera setups. Now they managed to design what appears to be the world’s first commercially offered cage for the new DJI Osmo Pocket camera. Although I would personally say the whole point of the DJI Osmo Pocket is the portability, there are definitely enough users who want to put their Osmo Pocket in a cage. By the way, for more information about the DJI Osmo Pocket itself take a look at our review and hands-on article or our initial news article with camera specs. What does the EXO Osmo Pocket cage from Taipan offer?
EXO – DJI Osmo Pocket Cage
The EXO Osmo Pocket Cage is made from 6061 aluminium and it expands the mounting possibilities and provides additional protection for the camera’s body. There is an Arca-Swiss type base for quick release mounting, a couple of 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 threaded holes at the back and bottom of the cage and an ARRI 2-pin mount. To insert the Osmo Pocket in the cage, there is some kind of retracting mechanism. For deatiled tour of the cage, take a look at the following promo video.
The cage is fully compatible with Osmo Pocket accessories. It can be adjusted to use the Pocket wireless base for remote control and it is designed to be used with the Pocket original control grip extension. Full access to the Pocket USB-C bottom and back-side ports as well as smartphone (up to the size of Samsung Galaxy Note 9) connection via the original phone adapter is sustained.
The company claims that EXO Osmo Pocket Cage is only their first step into building a complete system around the tiny gimbal camera. One of the accessories that would make sense to me the most is some kind of support piece for the connected smartphone. That is indeed one of the confirmed future accessories. Other planned accessories are for example quick release belt clip or arca-swiss in-line grip. The company however did not yet specify when they will bring the accessories.
EXO cage future accessories
EXO Osmo Pocket Cage Key Specs
aerospace 6061-T6 aluminum
opaque surface finish
black, anti-scratch anodization
stainless steel safety/lock/align mechanism
fourteen 1/4-20 UNC threaded holes (12 of them with steel helicoils)
one 3/8-16 UNC bottom mounting point
ARRI 2-pin mount (anti-rotation design)
weight: 71gr / 2,5oz
The manufacturer is now accepting pre-orders for the EXO Osmo Pocket Cage via e-mail at [email protected]. The price of the cage is $35,99 USD (excluding VAT, shipping and customs – these may be due depending on the country you order from). The company expects to start shipping the pre-ordered units at the end of February 2019.
Do you use DJI Osmo Pocket? Are you thinking of getting a cage for it? How do you like the design of the EXO cage? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.

Following up our first GH5 cage review shootout with Came-TV, Movcam and Zacuto, here comes the second round featuring two more cages – by Chrosziel and Tilta. We have kept the same review structure, now let’s see how these cages perform, compared to each other and to the cages from the first shootout.
To use the full potential of any camera, it is crucial to find the right cage in order to mount whatever third-party accessories you may need. And cages don’t just add several mounting threads and cold shoes, they also improve the protection of the camera body, usually add better grips and handles, and protect the HDMI connector and other ports.
The first round of our GH5 cage shootout with Came-TV, Movcam and Zacuto was published more than a year ago. The Panasonic GH5 remains a very popular camera until today and it still sits on top of the line of the Panasonic mirrorless segment, together with the GH5S. Since the newer GH5S shares the same body as the GH5, every cage can of course be used for both cameras.
Now, we had some further cages available for a review and decided to do a second round of the shootout. We’ll now place two camera cages for the Panasonic GH5 (and GH5S) head to head for an in-depth look, review and comparison: Chrosziel and Tilta. Let’s see how they perform and which one comes out better in this GH5 cage shootout!
Structure of Each Review:
Ease of assembly and disassembly
How securely is the camera attached to the cage?
HDMI cable protector design
Do we have access to the side outputs, slots and all the buttons?
Is it possible to use the Panasonic XLR adapter?
How good is the included Rod Support?
Quality of the Metabones Mount
The top-handle design
Overall ergonomics
Conclusion
At the very end of the article I’ll summarize the main pros and cons of each cage and announce our verdict. Please note that no cage is perfect and it’s up to each user to decide which cage better fits their needs and preferences.
Chrosziel GH5 Cage
The Chrosziel GH5 cage features a simple black aluminum design with a massive, but ergonomic handle and an included base plate rod mount. There are exceptionally many 3/8″ accessory threads. How well did the cage perform?
Ease of Assembly and Disassembly
It is quite easy to assemble and disassemble this setup. The cage is easily screwed on, with one screw at the bottom that goes into the camera’s tripod screw hole. The cage itself has a rather big opening for the lens, so even inserting the GH5 with a bigger lens mounted should not be a problem.
How Securely is the Camera Attached to the Cage?
In my opinion, the camera doesn’t seem to be very well secured. The cage doesn’t fit the sides of the camera very tightly and a single bottom screw is the only thing holding it in position. If not tightened properly, the camera has a bit of a wiggle room within the cage. The cage has quite a close fit to the front side under the lens mount, so if the camera does turn, it would be just a few millimetres. Attachment is not optimal, though.
HDMI Cable Protector Design
The Chrosziel GH5 cage does not provide any kind of HDMI protection. The plastic HDMI protector that comes with the GH5 can be screwed on there, but it only provides limited use with this cage, because the plastic clamp that holds the HDMI cable is too close to the side of the cage. Therefore, it might be nearly impossible to mount an HDMI cable with this clamp on this cage.
Do we Have Access to the Side Outputs, Slots and All the Buttons?
With this cage, we have good access to all the slots, buttons and outputs of the Panasonic GH5. It is not a problem to use the flip-out LCD screen either and rotate it freely.
Is it Possible to use the Panasonic XLR Adapter?
It is only possible to mount the Panasonic XLR adapter when the handle is not mounted on top of the cage. Fortunately, the cage has other mounting points for the handle on both sides. The plastic cable holder underneath the XLR unit has to be removed when mounting it.
How good is the included rod support?
The included 15mm rod support is quite simple, but good overall. There are two 8″ rods included in the package, which are made of aluminum.
Metabones Mount Quality
Unfortunately, there is no Metabones adapter support included with the cage.
The Top-Handle Design
I like the top handle design and ergonomics, I just wish there were more threads and mounting possibilities. It is a massive, all-aluminum handle with 6 threads on the top, which is quite comfortable to hold. There is, unfortunately, no cold shoe on top. It is possible to unscrew the bolt holding the handle and rotate it to 4 different positions. Good thing is, there is a 15mm rod mounting place on the handle.
Note: Additional handles can be purchased and used in a variety of ways. They can be mounted either on the “mini NATO rails” on top or on both sides of the cage – or anywhere on a 15mm rod. Quite a nice addition to make it a flexible system that a lot of other manufacturers didn’t think about.
Overall Ergonomics
The cage features no cold shoes, which might be a bit of a downside for some users. On the other hand, apart from standard 1/4″ threads, it offers many 3/8″ accessory threads. That might be useful when mounting heavier accessories, for instance. The cage doesn’t fit too tightly, which might make it a bit uncomfortable to hold the camera with the right hand, when the cage is mounted. The bottom of the cage itself has the same dimensions as the Manfrotto 501 standard plate, so theoretically, it could also be used without any plate (it is quite short though, so only during emergency uses).
Conclusion
The Chrosziel GH5 cage features a simple and massive design with a few small flaws. It is not very suitable for people looking for a tightly fitted solution. However, it is suitable for a frequent mounting and removing of the camera. Also, it is possible to keep the neck strap mounts on the camera when using this cage and people who occasionally use their GH5 for photo work (like me) will definitely appreciate this. I like the possibility of mounting the handles on both sides and on the 15mm rods too. The lack of cold shoes and HDMI protection is a downside for me.
Tilta GH5 CageTilta GH5 cage is made out of aluminum and features a matte gray design, plus a massive wooden side handle. It includes a base plate rod mount, and there are exceptionally many 1/4″ and 3/8″ accessory threads, as well as three cold shoes. How well did the cage perform?
Ease of Assembly and Disassembly
This setup is quite easy to assemble and disassemble – Tilta has developed a unique system, which consists of a separate quick release plate. The plate is simply screwed on, with one screw at the bottom, to the camera’s tripod screw hole. Then, the camera plus the plate can be inserted into the cage and locked in place with a lever. The cage itself also has quite a big opening for the lens, so inserting the GH5 with a bigger lens mounted should not be a problem.
How secure is the camera when attached to the cage?
The camera is well secured within the cage – no problems here. The quick release plate mounted onto the camera holds it well in position.
HDMI cable protector design
Tilta offers a unique HDMI cable protector design, which consists of two aluminum clamps and a piece of male-female HDMI cable. It locks the HDMI connection well in place, although the first assembly might require a bit of time. When using the HDMI protector, the other ports on the side still remain accessible. The USB-C connector, however, does get bent a bit when the HDMI clamp is tightened. In my opinion, the short HDMI cable is a bit too squashed and bent, which might lead to it getting damaged over time and cause some connection problems.
Do we Have Access to the Side Outputs, Slots and all the Buttons?
When this cage is attached, we have good access to all the slots, buttons and outputs of the Panasonic GH5. It is not a problem to use the flip-out LCD screen either and rotate it freely (without the HDMI clamp in use).
Is it Possible to use the Panasonic XLR Adapter?
It is possible to mount the Panasonic XLR adapter, even when the top handle is in its position. Tilta offers an L-shaped adapter, which positions the top handle out of the way of the XLR adapter. The plastic cable holder underneath the XLR unit has to be removed when mounting it.
How Good is the Included Rod Support?
The included aluminum 15mm rod support is quite well made. The cage slides in from the side, which is a bit unusual, yet the advantage of this system is that the cage can be moved left or right, when needed. A small lever on the rod support piece then locks it in the right position. There are two rods included in the package.
Metabones Mount Quality
There is a Metabones adapter support included on the cage itself, but to be honest, I am not too fond of its design. The screw used for this is quite long and it prevents the mounting or unmounting of the rod support, when the rods are in place. Although I found out it is possible to use it without the long screw just with the metal tube. The question is, however, how well the support functions then.
The Top-Handle Design
There are lots of threaded mounting options and cold shoes at the end of the handle. Also, it is possible to unscrew the bolt holding the handle and rotate it in 4 different positions. As a bonus, there is a separate aluminum clamp provided, which can be inserted into the handle, tightened with two bolts, offering an extra 15mm rod mount.
Overall, I like the top handle design and its ergonomics, plus it is relatively long. The top handle is connected to the cage via NATO rail, so it can be moved left or right and then fixed in place with a dovetail screw. The NATO rail itself can be mounted either directly to cage, or onto an extra L-shaped piece to make place for the XLR adapter. Furthermore, there are safety knobs with springs on both sides of the NATO rail, so the handle will not fall off, even if it the screw loosens by accident.
Overall Ergonomics
Visually, the main part of Tilta GH5 cage is the massive wooden grip on the right side. It has a nicely ergonomic shape and even features a start/stop thumb button, which connects via shutter connector to the camera. The handle can be rotated, as it is connected to the cage through a rossette.
The cage itself is not a tightly fitted one, so holding the cage with your hand might not be so comfortable, yet the provided wooden grip offers a comfortable holding option. Thanks to the quick release plate, it is very easy to take the camera out of the cage when you quickly need to switch to the bare-body photo setup.
For me, the biggest flaw of Tilta’s cage is the fact that it cannot be used without the rod support base, at all. There is, unfortunately, no way to attach a tripod plate directly to the bottom of the cage. Therefore, this cage cannot be used during a very compact setup and the rod support base always positions the camera quite high, too.
Another slight disadvantage I found is the fact that Tilta uses three different allen key sizes for the cage. All of the allen keys needed for assembly are included in the package, but one of them comes as a non-metric size – a 3/16 wrench (also used for the main screw on the quick release plate). In case you lose that key, it is not a very common thing to have as a spare one at home – at least not in Europe. I think using two different allen key sizes for all the bolts on the cage would have been simpler.
Conclusion
The Tilta GH5 cage features quite a sophisticated design with lots and lots of accessories. It cannot be used for a rather compact setup and is not really suitable for people looking for a tight fit solution. The cage is great when it comes to frequently mounting and removing the camera. Also, it is possible to keep the neck strap mounts on the camera when using it, and people who occasionally use their GH5 for a photo work (like me) will definitely appreciate this. I liked the wooden grip with the start/stop button and the long top handle, too.
Chrosziel vs. Tilta GH5 Cages – Results
For me personally, Tilta GH5 cage is the winner of this comparison review, despite being the cheaper option of both. The main advantages of this cage are: lots of accessories and mounting options, comfortable wooden grip, effective HDMI protector, modular and long top handle, and quick release plate for easy mounting/unmounting of the camera. Main disadvantages: It is not possible to use the cage without the rod support base.
The second place goes to the Chrosziel GH5 cage. The main advantages are: massive top handle design, which can be moved on the mini rails on both sides, massive design with many 3/8″ threads and Manfrotto 501 style plate on the bottom of the cage. Main disadvantages: relatively high price, no HDMI support included, no possibility to mount an XLR adapter while the top handle is mounted.
If I have to compare these two cages to the three cages from the first shootout, I have to admit that I still like the Movcam GH5 cage the best and it suits my needs better than all of the four other cages. Tilta comes close as the second place, because it offers the most mounting threads and possibilities. It cannot be used without the rod support base, however, and I often need a compact cage setup. On the third place, I would place the Zacuto tight fit cage, the fourth place would go to Chrosziel and fifth place to the Came-TV cage. It – of course – depends on the exact needs of every filmmaker, though.
Did you ever use any of these GH5 cages and did you like it? Did this second round of shootout help you make up your mind about your future GH5 cage purchase? Let us know in the comments below!

The DriveMount is a new Kickstarter project – an aluminum case, which allows you to attach a standard 2.5″ SSD to a 1/4″-20 screw hole (like the one on top of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K). Depending on the pledge you choose, the bundle will come with a USB-C cable, standard 1/4″-20 threaded mount, standard Shoe Mount, 15mm Rail or even a 500GB SSD.
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K has already been on the market for a couple of months now. For more information about the BMPCC 4K, you can check out the comprehensive review that my colleague Nino did in October. The one feature of the new BMPCC 4K that is relevant for this article right now, is the ability to record to an external SSD via USB-C port. Many filmmakers were really thrilled when this feature was first announced, because SSDs are a great speed-size-price package.
Why Record to SSD?
The new Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K can record to either SD cards, CFast 2.0 cards or SSDs. SD cards are relatively cheap, but their write speed does not allow for highest quality (Cinema DNG RAW 270MBps) recording. CFast 2.0 cards are fast enough for whatever the BMPCC 4K sends their way, but they are quite expensive. Last but not least, SSDs are fast enough and they are significantly cheaper than CFast 2.0 memory cards. Please note that we are comparing prices-per-GB here. One question arose: “How to conveniently and securely attach SSDs to the camera?”
By the time the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K has started shipping, there have already been a few cages available. Other cage manufacturers introduced their versions shortly after. Now, there are a lot of options when it comes to rigging the BMPCC 4K. We already reported about:
8SinnLockCircleTiltaShape, Wooden Camera, SmallRig
This is not a comprehensive list, as there are probably even more options by now. Important is that some of the cage manufacturers already considered the SSD mounting option and offer solutions for that. I particularly like Tilta’s approach with their screws-secured USB-C cable.
DriveMount – 2.5″ SSD Mounting Solution
There is a new product on Kickstarter from SoulCow (two independent filmmakers Ethan Soule and Ben Cowper), called DriveMount and it allows mounting a standard 2.5″ SSD to any 1/4″-20 screw hole. Because the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K happens to have one 1/4″-20 mounting point on top, this is a convenient way to mount an SSD right there, without any cage. It can, of course, nicely complement any BMPCC 4K cage too, as these always have plenty of 1/4″-20 mounting points.
The DriveMount is made out of black aluminum. It features sliding rails for the mounting point, so the case itself can be repositioned if necessary.
The advantage I see here is using standard external 2.5″ SSDs, as they are the cheapest option given the capacity. As an example: a 500GB 2.5″ internal SSD costs around $100,- whereas 512GB CFast 2.0 cards start at more than $500,-. The enclosure of a USB-C cable raises the cost of an SSD, yet with DriveMount you won’t need to worry about any of that. The enclosed cable features the SATA connector on one end and USB-C on the other.
When taking advantage of the “early backer discount”, the DriveMount case (with the cable) costs $100,- and there are still a couple of those available. When this offer (25 pieces) runs out, the price for a basic package will be $120,-. The DriveMount Shoe Bundle including a cold shoe adapter costs $130,-. The DriveMount Rail Bundle with a 15mm rods adapter costs $150,-. And finally, the DriveMount SSD Bundle with a 500GB SSD will set you back $175,-. Once again, the Kickstarter campaign can be found here. There is still time until the end of 2018 to back this project and get the DriveMount.
Please remember: Kickstarter is not a shop and you don’t buy things there. You simply support the manufacturer with your money and as a benefit – if everything goes smoothly – you’ll get the final product at a discount.
Links: soulcow.net | DriveMount Kickstarter campaign
What do you think of the DriveMount SSD mounting solution? Do you use SSD recording with the BMPCC 4K? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.

To say that Blackmagic’s Pocket Cinema Camera 4K has been received well would be an understatement. The online camera community is still bubbling with reviews, comparisons to other cameras and stories about accessories. (Check out our review by clicking here). One essential accessory for most people would be a cage system of some sort, to alleviate some of the rigging problems that smaller cameras inherently face. However, the solutions manufacturers choose can really differ from one another. We have reported about most other BMPCC 4K cages before – here are the ones we haven’t told you about yet.
Shape Cage for the BMPCC 4K
Shape’s solution for a BMPCC 4K cage is made of CNC machined aluminium and comes at a rather light 0.66 lbs / 0.3kg. This might be due to the fact that it isn’t technically a full cage – it is open on the right side, with a padded side leash securing your hold on the BPMCC 4K’s pretty comfortable grip. The top of the cage features a cold shoe mount, the top and side have numerous 1/4″ mounting points, most of them with anti-rotation pinholes. On the camera’s left side there is an integrated clamp that secures the HDMI-cable into place, but curiously enough this clamp doesn’t extend downwards enough to also secure the USB-C cable while recording to an SSD. The bottom of the cage allows access to the battery compartment and has 1/4″ and 3/8″ mounting points for tripod plates and the like.
Shape’s BMPCC 4K cage is available in a barebones version, but also in kits, offering different combinations of accessories, ranging from simple top handle all the way to fully built shoulder mount solutions with a mattebox and follow focus. Notable amongst the generally high-quality Shape accessories are the trademark button rotatable handles and grips (there are two different top handles available) and the side handle for the left side of the BMPCC 4K cage. An SSD mount is also available.
Wooden Camera’s Unified BMPCC 4K Cage
Wooden Camera’s BMPCC 4K cage shows quite a different approach. It is no full cage, but rather consists of a top and bottom, connected by a rod on the camera’s left side. The rod itself has some 1/4″ mounting points and holds Wooden Cameras’ HDMI angle connector in place, which comes with the kit. One might wonder what will hold the actual cable in place, once it’s connected to this secured angle connector. The bottom of the cage consists of a quick release system for the integrated Manfrotto-style baseplate and a pin to secure lenses or speed boosters. The top of the cage is more or less a cheese plate with numerous 1/4″ and some 3/8″ mounting points, one of the latter also featuring holes for anti-rotation pins. The cage is available in two versions, depending on the top handle you choose. It seems like the only difference between the grips is the material, which can be rubber or wood. The top handle screws into the front of the top cheese plate and has a few mounting points as well as a cold shoe mount and a 15mm rod hole, oriented to the side. The cage comes in at 0.975 lbs / 442g.
Amongst the accessories Wooden Camera is offering are a D-Tap to DC cable for the camera, a universal viewfinder mount that can be attached to the top handle’s rod attachment, a unified baseplate that supports 15mm rods and a MFT to PL mount adapter.
SmallRig Half Cage and Full Cage for BMPCC 4K
Like Tilta, SmallRig offers two versions of their cage, one half cage and one full cage – the main difference being five more 1/4″ and one more 3/8″ mounting points on the full cage’s right side. Both cages don’t hamper your access to the battery compartment and have two integrated NATO rails (one on top, one on the left side) and a cold shoe mount on top. The full cage also has attachment points for a camera strap on both sides, while obviously, the half cage has this only on one side. The half cage comes in at 0.5 lbs / 228g, the full cage at 0.66 lbs / 300g.
Amongst the accessories SmallRig makes for this cage specifically are a Metabones adapter support that attaches to the bottom front of the cages, an SSD mount compatible with Samsung T5 SSDs and a combined HDMI and USB-C clamp that screws into the cage’s side. Obviously, with the cages relying on the standard NATO rails for attaching handles, you can either use some of SmallRig’s own side grips and top handles, or just any manufacturers NATO handles. Of course, the cage is also compatible with SmallRig’s humongous selection of accessories, ranging from offset shoulder mounts, EVF and monitor mounts, magic arms and many others.
The competition
If you want to compare these cages to the others we have reported about, here are the articles relating to those:
Tilta Cage system for BMPCC 4KLockCircle Cage for BMPCC 4K8Sinn Cage for BMPCC 4K
Regarding prices for the most basic version of the cage, the current landscape of BMPCC 4K cages looks like this:
SmallRig cages start at $55.00 and $69.00 respectively
Tilta is asking for $69.00 (half cage) or $99.00 (not yet available)
Shape’s basic cage starts at $175.00
8Sinn’s offerings start at $179.00 (half cage) and $279.00
Wooden Camera’s Unified cage will set you back $350.00
LockCircle hasn’t announced pricing yet
Of course we will keep you posted about other new cage systems and accessories being released for the BMPCC 4K.
Which of these cages would suit you best? Do you prefer the high integration of Shape’s system or the lower price of SmallRig’s alternatives? Or are you holding out for Tilta to make their very comprehensive accessory system for the BMPCC 4K available? Let us know in the comments!

Tilta is announcing the release of a whole line of accessories for the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4k. There are two different versions of a cage, battery solutions, grips, sunhoods and a follow focus motor to choose from or combine in a modular fashion. Here’s an overview.
We have been writing about cages for the BMPCC 4k for a while now, namely the very well made solutions by 8Sinn and LockCircle HiPock. While both of these are well made and thought-out solutions, what Tilta is trying to accomplish here is something different. Rather than just creating a cage Tilta is trying to create a whole rigging ecosystem of cages and accessory parts that can be combined in a multitude of ways to expand the utility of the BMPCC 4k as well as alleviate some of the problems that ail that camera.
Cages, top handle and baseplate
Obviously the central element of any system like this will be the actual camera cage. Tilta makes these in two versions for the BMPCC 4k, a full cage and a half cage. Both feature a multitude of 1/4″ mounting points, two 3/8″ (one with secure locking pins), and two (or three for the full cage) cold shoe mounts. In addition to that both cage come with an Allen key and a place to store it on the cage itself and integrated baseplate in the bottom of the cage. This plate is turned to the side, so that complicated baseplate constructions aren’t necessary when mounting it to a gimbal (the Ronin-S for example could not balance the BMPCC 4k properly, due to its width and the position of the plate mounting point on the bottom).
The top handle attaches to the central cold shoe mount and is secured with on thumbscrew. Apart from numerous 1/4″ and 3/8″ mounting points it features two cold shoe mounts and a 15mm rod attachment.
The baseplate features a drop-in lock mechanism for the cage and a another plate at its bottom, so that it can be mounted to a tripod. Additionally it has two attachment for all your 15mm rod based accessories, like follow focuses, handles and the like.
All parts are finished in what Tilta calls “Tactical finish”, which looks like aluminium that was painted black and that sanded down.
Battery solutions and side handles
Apart from a pretty simple NP-F battery plate that can be attached to one of the cage’s 1/4″ mounting points, there are a few more feature-rich solutions. In particular there a two bottom mounted solutions, one also using NP-F style batteries, the other using V-Mount, which are able to provide multiple DC outs, and thus power more than just your camera. The V-Mount baseplate also provides the option to mount it on 15mm rods instead of using it as a baseplate.
The side handles and what they come with are probably among the more interesting things about the system. While the MHC-3 handle seems to feature no electronics, it slots into the bottom of the cage on its left side, with a thumb screw to keep it snug and secured there, still leaving enough room to access the BMPCC 4k connection interfaces. The MHC-2 and MHC-1 both feature control wheels to work with the optional Nucleus Nano follow focus motor, a record button up top and a battery solution (the smaller MCH-1 uses LP-E6 batteries, and the larger MHC-2 NP-F style batteries). The MHC-2 also has a slot to slide a Samsung T5 SSD into and secure it there. A slew of cables is available to make many powering options available here.
Sunhoods and the SSD
As mentioned previously the SSD can be secured inside the MHC-2 grip. There is also a clamp attachment that allows mounting the SSD anywhere on the cage and interestingly enough a sunhood, that has an integrated SSD slot, as well as velcro-attachable extension to make the hood much longer shut more light out. This would come in handy as the BMPCC 4k’s screen is bright, but probably not bright enough for the sunniest of days.
Notably Tilta have made their own screw-in HDMI-angle attachments and a USB-C cable that screws right into the cage. This would probably alleviate some shooters concerns in regards to recording straight to SSD in less secure environments.
All in all, the Tilta cage system for the BMPCC 4k seems like an almost unparalleled effort at creating a modular system of accessories that can be interchangeably configured to either make the camera more capable or easy to work with (at least for cameras in this price bracket). It would be very interesting to have a hands-on session with a selection from it once it becomes available.
For the complete list of accessories including some prices, please head to Tilta’s web page.
What do you think? How do the Tilta range of accessories compares to the offerings from 8Sinn, Wooden Camera, SmallRig and others? Would you be interested in buying it? Let us know in the comments?

The Cage project management application offers a lot of features that have become standard tools of the trade in online collaboration software. Messaging, task lists, team member management, as well as media file upload and markup features are all on board and implemented quite pleasantly. Recently the Cage project management team has announced an update to their client presentations feature, making it possible to have branded client pages showing off your work to the client and letting them review and approve your work.
Design your own branded presentations for clients with Cage
How does it work?
I was able to create a presentation site for cinema5D, somewhat matching the looks of the site in just a few minutes. You can upload your own logo (or your client’s logo for that matter) and adapt text-alignment, as well as the main color choices, and choose between a few layouts for the files you chose to be displayed in your presentation. You will also get a special login screen for your client, which is a really nice touch.
You can create custom login pages for your clients
Other than that you can set permissions, allowing the client to review the files that are part of the presentation, mainly by posting text comments or adding some shapes or drawn markers. These features of the Cage project management tool are very well implemented and work all the way from your desktop to smaller mobile screens.
Video features and some downsides
You can include videos in your presentations and have them reviewed by the client. However, neither the comments nor the markup is time-coded. This means writing a change request regarding second 0:23 in a clip will require your client to actually write out “0:23 Please change this.” or something similar. In my opinion, the markup features can’t really be used for video: For example, drawing a box around something the client wishes to be masked out, will result in that box staying in that position throughout the runtime of the entire video clip. It seems like these features are geared more towards static image files, where they would be more helpful. We hope that the Cage team can improve the video features, to catch up to similar offerings by Vimeo Pro and Frame.io.
A markup like this will stay throughout the whole video
Personally, I didn’t like the fact that once a client has logged into his presentation with the password you gave him, he still has to sign up with Cage, in order to be able to leave comments. I wouldn’t want my clients to have to jump through as many hoops, as they are confronted with here. After reaching out to the Cage team, they confirmed that this will be changed very soon though. Clients will only be required to enter an email address then.
Pricing and availability
Comparing the application’s pricing to the main contenders, the Cage project management tool starts out with a monthly fee of 25 USD, with 2 team members, unlimited projects and reviewers, as well as 25 GB of Storage. The same price will give you 25 collaborators, no team members, but 50 GB of storage as well as unlimited projects on Frame.io, while Vimeo Pro will only set you back 16 USD per month, for a weekly 20GB, 3 team members and unlimited projects.
On the whole, the Cage team has made an commendable effort here and we hope they will be able to gear their video-specific features to attract even more happy customers from our field of work.
What do you think? Would you like to try the application yourself with a free trial and share your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

Last week, we reported about the supposedly very first cage for the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (BMPCC 4K) from 8Sinn. Now, hot on the heels of that release, Italian designer and cinematographer Dante Cecchin of LockCircle releases his take on a perfect camera cage. Meet the LockCircle HiPock cage for the BMPCC 4K, a camera that’s due for a hopefully soon release.
The HiPock labeled camera cage is actually not just one cage but a whole system of three different versions. The minimalist version just consists of a small “Minimal Plate” for mounting additional accessories to the camera. A more extended “Essential Plate” covers the whole top side of the camera and the most complete setup is called the “System Cage” which adds a baseplate.
LockCircle HiPock Cage System
Whether you just need some additional mounting points or a full-blown cage for the yet to be released Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K: LockCircle has you covered. Three flavors of their new HiPock are available to choose from in order to get started: Minimal Plate, Essential Plate or System Cage.
All three versions share the same top plate but although the concept looks kind of modular, it’s actually not. You have to decide which plate you incorporate as a starting point for your rig. The Minimal Plate sports plenty of 1/4-20 threads and even two 3/8-16 threads. You can add things like top handles, cold shoe mounts, articulating arms or monitor holders, you name it, really.
The whole system is made of CNC machined aircraft grade aluminum. That way all parts are pretty lightweight while maintaining heavy-duty grade strength. The HiPock cage system is available in either Dark-T (Black) or Amber-T (yellow-orange-gold) velvet surface anodized finish.
Several optional parts can be added for maintaining compatibility with devices such as Metabones Speedbosters or Novoflex mounts. The so-called MicroMega 15mm baseplate is a perfect match for the HiPock cage, as well. The famous LockCircle MultiPort HDMI/Audio port savers with connector locking also fit perfectly, of course.
Even the biggest member of the HiPock family, the System Cage, is actually only a half cage and that’s a good thing since its shape complements the ergonomic design of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K.
Pricing and Availability
The HiPock series of cages should be available by the end of October. The prices are not yet set in stone, but do not expect a super low price for these cages. LockCircle is known for its quality products. This applies both to the quality of workmanship and to the design of their products. This is not a off the shelf product, but a well thought-out, bespoke cage for the BMPCC 4K.
Three versions of the HiPock cage (the top handle is optional)
Included in the System Cage version is a a titanium grade 5 camera 1/4-20 screw. Let’s hope that Blackmagic will deliver their new Cinema Pocket Camera 4K on time then!
Links: LockCircle.com
What Do you think of this cage? And even more importantly: What do you think about the yet to be released BMPCC 4K? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

8Sinn now releases new cage which they claim is the first Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K cage on the market. It comes in two versions and offers various accessories and more types of handles.
8Sinn Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K Cages. Source: 8Sinn
8Sinn is a camera accessories manufacturer based in Poland. The company is not new in the field of camera cages – they produced quite a few interesting cages mainly for the mirroless segment of cameras – the Sony a7 series and the Panasonic GH series. Now they are releasing a new cage what they claim to be “the first cage for the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K”.
This interesting little camera was introduced in April 2018 at NAB in Las Vegas and should start shipping now in September 2018. It is highly anticipated by a lot of filmmakers as it offers very interesting performance for relatively low price. Things like 4096 x 2160 DCI 4K 60 fps recording in CinemaDNG Raw, Raw 3:1, Raw 4:1 and various ProRes 422 options used to be reserved for much more expensive rigs. To see our hands-on video with the BMPCC4K from NAB and read more information about the camera you can click on this link.
8Sinn designed two versions of the cage for the new BMPCC4K plus a couple of accessories, handles, etc.
8Sinn Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K Half Cage
First of two new 8Sinn’s camera cages for BMPCC4K is the half cage. It was created to increase functionality and give users totally free access to the right side of the camera and multiple 1/4″ mounting points and cold shoe on the other side. It is made from one piece of high quality air-aluminium that minimize mechanical and other types of damages to minimum. Rounded edges and corners ensure safe and comfortable grip.
8Sinn Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K Half Cage. Source: 8Sinn
The 8Sinn cage was designed not to intrerfere with camera body structure at any point and not to prevent any of the controls. The cage is equipped with HDMI cable clamp that was designed to protect and keep the HDMI cable plug safely in place. Clamp can be adjusted to different brands’ plugs sizes by expanding two parts of the clamp.
The cage is attached to the camera body by two mounting screws (upper and lower). Besides those two screws, 8Sinn has placed additional pins on the inside surface of the cage – these pins are dedicated to cameras’ bottom openings – their task is to prevent the camera body from twisting/sliding after being mounted in the cage.
The dimensions of the 8Sinn half cage are 132 x 112 x 75 mm (LxHxW) and the weight is 199g.
8Sinn Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K Cage
The second Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K cage has a full-cage-design to protect all sides of the camera. It has the same build quality and functions as the half cage, but it naturally offers more 1/4″ mounting points. It also offers strap holder on the right side of the camera which allows to use any hand strap and ensures steady holding of the camera.
8Sinn Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K Cage. Source: 8Sinn
The 8Sinn BMPCC4K cage is obviously a bit longer and heavier than the half cage – its dimensions are 194.50 x 112 x 75 mm (LxHxW) and the weight is 291g.
Handles and Accessories
8Sinn offers their new Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K cage in sets with three different types of handles:
Top Handle Basic is the cheapest option of all three. It is fixed in place with no rotating or sliding options and it offers two cold shoe mounts and a couple of 1/4″ and 3/8″ mounting points.
Top Handle Pro is slightly more expensive than the Basic version and offers more flexibility through the NATO rail mounting. The position of the handle can also be changed thanks to the dovetail clamp by the handle itself. It also offers two cold shoe mounts and a couple of 1/4″ and 3/8″ mounting points.
Top Handle Scorpio has the same pricing as the Pro version. It offers the option to rotate the handle thanks to the big screw mount. It also features a 15mm rod mount and has four cold shoe mounts and a couple of 1/4″ and 3/8″ mounting points.
8Sinn Handles – Basic, Pro and Scorpio. Source: 8Sinn
8Sinn furthermore offers rod support piece which fits into all 8Sinn cages and provides support for 15mm rods. It offers Metabones speedbooster support and is equipped with quick release system. There is a screw to regulate the rods height.
In connection with the rod support piece 8Sinn also offers universal lens support piece mountable on 15mm rods.
Last but not least 8Sinn offers a flat monitor holder with a safety NATO rails mount. This type of flat holder is perfect for instance in combination with the rather big Atomos Recorders as it allows for more compact rig build.
8Sinn Cages Accessories. Source: 8Sinn
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K cage sets from 8Sinn are available for preorder and should ship in the first week of September 2018. Prices start at $179.00/€157.85 (without VAT) for the Half-cage version without handle.
What do you think of the new 8Sinn Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K Cage? Are you planning to buy (did you preorder) that camera? Let us know in the comments below.